Confusion About the
Term Facelift...
The word facelift is a bit of a misnomer. A facelift surgery does not, in fact, lift the entire face! Separate procedures are needed to rejuvenate, for example, the forehead and eyebrows (a browlift) and the eyelids (blepharoplasties).
What a facelift does do:
- Tightens and lifts the cheeks
- Eliminates jowls
- Better defines the jaw line
- Rejuvenates the neck
"I love my new neck! I used to hate my gobbler. Now,
my neck looks so much longer and more elegant."
- Patient J.B., after a full facelift
"I look 10 years younger. This was the best decision
I've made in a long time."
- Patient M.H., after a "mini" facelift
"Dr. Pickart was great. I know that I really needed an
old-fashioned facelift, but I'm a busy real estate agent. I
just can't take too much time off work. Dr. Pickart's
mini lift gave me just what I wanted without too much downtime."
- Patient V.T., after a "mini" facelift
Did you know that Dr. Pickart wrote the facelift chapter for the
forthcoming
textbook,
The
Cosmetic
Surgery
Patient:
The
Aesthetician's
Role. Look for
it
this winter
in
medical
bookstores and
at Amazon.com.
Or,
call our office
at (805) 648-4567,
and we'll
reserve a copy
of
the book for you.
About Face!
Learning More about Facelifting
It doesn't happen overnight, but it may seem like the first visible signs of aging appeared suddenly...
- Friends or family say that you look "tired."
- You notice your cheeks sliding downward.
- Jowls have become visible.
- There is increased depth to the lines that run from the corners of your nose to the corners of your mouth.
- You see loose skin or excess fatty tissue in your neck.
Increasingly, both women and men are choosing cosmetic surgery at an earlier age to help keep themselves looking as vital and energetic as they feel.
How Do I Know if I Need a Facelift?
- If you are primarily bothered by fine wrinkling and sun damage, and if you have no facial sagging or excess fat in your neck, skin resurfacing,[link to procedures>less common procedures] rather than having a facelift, may be the answer for you.
- If your main concern is excess fat under your chin, but your skin is still tight and elastic, you may be a good candidate for liposuction in this area. Liposuction to eliminate a double chin usually requires only a small incision on the underside of the chin where it will be barely visible, even with your head tilted back.
- However, if you have loose, descended skin in your cheeks, along your jaw line, and in your neck, and if your neck muscles are beginning to develop a "turkey gobbler" appearance, then a facelift may be of help.
Will I Need Another Lift Later On?
Patients sometimes ask, "If I have a facelift while I'm in my 40s or 50s, does that mean I will have to have another lift later on?" There is no rule that says once you have a facelift, you must have another. It's entirely up to you. Whether you have only one lift in your lifetime, or more than one, having a facelift means that you will look younger and better for longer!
At whatever age you have your facelift, the goal is to restore a more youthful contour to your face and neck. There are a variety of techniques that Dr. Pickart may use in performing a facelift. He will help you choose the one that is right for you.
"Mini-lifts"
"Mini-lifts" and other variations on the traditional facelift are a possibility for some patients. A variety of options exist for "mini" techniques. Although they will not offer as complete a facial rejuvenation as a traditional facelift, many patients—particularly younger women and men—feel that the more limited correction is an acceptable tradeoff for the reduced recovery time.
A Lift That Meets Your Goals
Facelifting techniques can include repositioning the deepest tissues, skin tightening, or different types of incisions. Each patient deserves a customized approach based upon his or her anatomy and goals. Dr. Pickart will always recommend the technique that is right for you to balance the surgical correction with your personal goals—including the amount of time you are willing to devote to healing and recovery.
Dr. Pickart operates only in accredited surgical facilities and uses only Board Certified Anesthesiologists. Safety and high quality are his priorities.
Is a facelift the right choice for rejuvenating your face? Contact us for more information about how the latest technologies can help you achieve your goals, or to request a consultation.
We always provide real information about today's safe, state-of-the-art surgical techniques. Get answers to frequently asked questions about cosmetic surgery.